It is really comforting to know, when you are planning your trip, that the hotel you will be staying in, is doing a great job. A place with very nice rooms, where staff is friendly and helpful. It quickly feels like staying with friends. That’s what the Sternwheeler Hotel and Conference Centre is for us. Therefore, I am very happy to confirm that this excellent Whitehorse hotel will be our partner and pre-race headquarter again in 2024. As such they also provide MYAU athletes with preferential room rates. For information on those rates and how to book, please check out our Travel section.
There are many reasons why the Shelley Spirit of the Yukon Award 2023 goes to Jessie Gladish. The most important one is the fact that Jessie has always been keen on helping others. She did not hesitate one second when the decision had to be made about who could take the lead organising future training courses after Shelley passed away. She likes to see others do well, succeed and enjoy the adventure. Not only does Jessie care about others before the race. She always keeps the safety of others in her mind during the race. On more than one occasion Jessie, as an athlete in the MYAU, slowed down and stopped to help fellow participants and/or to make sure they are okay.
Then there is Jessie’s positive attitude. Yes, she has had very emotional moments on the trail, like most athletes. When she did the MYAU 2019 she said herself that she had been very tempted to burn her skis on a couple of occasions. In 2022 I was with her when massive overflows really messed up our race and tough decisions had to be made on the final stretch from Overland Parking to Takhini Bridge. It was not easy. However, it did not matter what nature or the MYAU threw at her Jessie always kept her positive attitude, pushed through difficulties and came out the other end with her big smile. It’s also legendary how she always arrived at the finish line looking like she just started.